lost dvd

As many of you guys know, I had an amazing opportunity to run the Great Wall of China Marathon a little over a year ago. It has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I completed it with a team of people from all over the world. Members of the team were from Denmark, England, Argentina, Spain, Holland, France, Italy, Canada, and the US. We all have a connection with the hearing aid company Widex. Widex in our various countries supported us all as we ran the marathon to raise support for the Deaf Olympics. Again, AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE and once in a lifetime training, traveling, and friendships. It's safe to say that I still think about atleast one or two aspects of the entire experience atleast once a day.

So, I find myself packing up my house...and my dvd with pictures and videos that Widex took from our actual time in China is missing. My roomate, Jeanett, is being the complete optomist saying, "it has to be here. we'll find it. it can't be anywhere else." And, as much as I am hearing her logic...it's no where and my doubt is rising by the minute. As a kid I remember praying to one of the catholic saints asking him to help us find specific lost things in our house. (sorry mom! can't remember which saint it is) Isn't it funny how memories come rushing back to you in these moments. Even though praying to specific saints popped into my head this morning, I love the fact that God wants us to go directly to him. So right now I'm actively praying that our Great God will help me locate this dvd that is so special to me. I'm very thankful that we really do have a God who cares about these little details.

Below are a few more pics of my time in China and with my team:

A goat got onto the Great Wall the 1st time we were on it at the beginning of the race. I'm so glad I got to be near it when it happened and then that someone from my team found this pic and sent it to me. This shows how unique this marathon was.

This is me, Judy (middle: from London) and Brenna (right: from Seattle, WA). We spent a lot of time together and are doing a really good job of keeping in touch. The three of us are going to meet in Chicago this coming October and run the Chicago marathon together.

This is some of my teammates posing for a picture wearing our medals after finishing the marathon. All smiles!

This is my coach, Anders, and me. He patiently trained me (from Denmark) through my stress fracture. I really hope to one day have the chance to be trained by him again.

finally followed through on a promise

I had the pleasure of baby sitting for some wonderful friends of mine on Sunday. I went to their house and we spent a few hours chatting and then I watched the kids while they went out to dinner with some friends. Everyone's response seems to be, "that's so nice." But, I need to tell all of you that I have been telling DeAnne & Philip that I wanted to baby sit for them while they went out for about TWO YEARS. So, really everyone's response should be..."well it's about time!" Below is picture of DeAnne with her three kids. Philip was out doing some door-to-door visiting for the church.

Left to right: Ryan (2), DeAnne (mother), Peter (5), Emma (4)

This is a self portraite of Ryan and me. He's good at saying "cheese"

The kids and I had a great time together. I would say the biggest challenge of the evening was the different levels of imagination. Here is one example: Were were accross the street at the church play ground. Peter had turned one of the things into a space shuttle. Repeatedly the countdown would begin for take off. Emma, Ryan, and me would all run and help eachother up into the shuttle. But repeatedly after the countdown "we didn't go anywhere" according to Peter. So Emma, Ryan, and me would get down and play some and then the countdown would begin again. After about 45 min of playing this conversations took place.

Emma: Lets go inside

Peter: We can't go inside, we're on the moon

(I'm pushing Ryan on the swing)

Emma: We're not on the moon

Peter: We can't get home, we're on the moon

Emma: Peter, we're not on the moon. We're accross the street. I can see the trash cans!

I thought this was hilarious! I loved Emma's logic and I loved Peter's imagination. I also loved how Ryan just followed along with everything so happily. Well, Peter eventually fixed the broken satellite on the shuttle and we were able to re-enter the atmosphere safely. We safely crossed back to the house (passing the trash cans) and enjoyed icy pops. It is safe to say that I completely adore and am blessed by this family.

a tradition

The baby of our family graduated from college last weekend. He's going to be spending the summer in Milwaukee with mom and then is packing up and moving to Seattle, WA! Thank goodness for airplanes! I'm excited to visit him out there over the next couple years.

Well, all six of us kids, mom, and one of our in-laws got to be together last weekend in Eau Claire, WI, and we had a blast. Bryan, Meeghan, and Joe got to meet their new nephew Nathanael for the first time and I do believe it was love at first sight for all of them :) We went picture crazy together. Guess that's what happens when we don't get together too often. We definitely acted very silly together and enjoyed one anothers company emmensly. We were sad that Tricia and the kids couldn't be there to make the entire family complete, but they got to hear some of the craziness through phone calls.

So below are three of the pictures from the weekend. Joe and I have a tradition. Every time I have graduated he has put on my cap and gown and we've taken a picture together. Well, it was now my turn to put on his cap and gown. We have alteast two more of these pictures coming over the next couple years...so watch out!

CONGRATULATIONS JOE BUD!!!!!!!

I'm so proud of you!

Under Contract!!!!!!!

So, God and I have been talking about the sale of my house. As I make this move to Boiling Springs, NC, the quick sale of my house in a declining market would be a huge blessing from God that would assure me even more that I'm moving in the right direction. (I know that sounds like I'm not being faithful or that I wouldn't be happy unless His answer is what I wanted it to be...but really we had some good talks. I would have been okay with any answer). But, I'm happy to report that after 18 days on the market my house is offically under contract! I am proclaiming from the rooftops that God hears us and that He is good. My sister Chrissy is here tonight, so my roomates (Jeanett and Rosemary), Chrissy, and me are getting ready to go out and have a celebratory ice cream :)

My Second Family

I have spent the last two weekends with this wonderful family pictured to the left. They have whole heartedly adopted me into their family and I am truly blessed by it. Now, don't get me wrong...I completely adore my true family (and am so excited to get to see all of them next weekend!), but the Suddreths are that second family that I believe everyone needs in life.

It all started when I met Heather (my best friend) at Appalachian State. She invited me to her grandma's place in Boone to have dinner and play games with her family. The countless laughs and stories started that night over a game of Pictonary! I am truly blessed by this great family and so thankful for all the hugs, meals, laughs, and time shared with them.

house on the The Market

I got a great call from my realtor tonight...someone who looked at my house yesterday is very interested! woohoo!!! Now, I've never done this before, so I'm really trying not to get my hopes up, but.....my hopes are up. My house went on the market offically last Monday. I've had about 7 or 8 people look at it already, which is wonderful. All I really need is THE ONE.

I'm making a huge change in life and moving from Raleigh, NC to Boiling Springs, NC. That is moving from a great city to a one stop light town (seriously...one stoplight). I have two sisters there, a brother-in-law, and now a new nephew. Other than some great friends here, there is really nothing holding me to Raleigh...so I'm stepping out and moving. The Lord and I have had lots of conversations about this move, and He is amazingly orchestrating the details. When my house went on the market we had a conversation about how I really need my house to sell quickly, in this declining market, as confirmation that I really am making the right decisions. Looks like our God is really being faithful to this faithless girl. I'll keep you posted.

Let the blogging begin

So, with the encouragment of my college friends I've decided to start a blog. I've absolutely loved keeping up to date on their lives through stories, pictures, and videos. I only hope that I'll be as good as they are at it! So, as of May 6, 2008...LET THE BLOGGING BEGIN!